Must read, write Marathi to get Mumbai taxi permit

Published: Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 16:09 [IST]

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Mumbai, Jan 20: Raising doubts if the state government has also turned anti-migrant, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday, Jan 20 introduced new rules for taxi drivers in the capital, which will make it extremely difficult for non-Marathis to procure permits.

As per the new rules, taxi drivers must have residence proof of 15 years of domicile in Maharashtra besides knowing how to read and write Marathi.

However, the Maharashtra taxi union has made it clear that the new rules are unacceptable.

It should be noted that most of the taxi drivers operating in Mumbai are migrants from 'north Indian' states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Over the past few years, the state has been in the negative light for its anti-migrant stance as political parties such as Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) blame north Indians for pouring into the state and affecting the lives of Marathi Manoos.